Alimi Declares 2025 Most Challenging Year for Nigerian Entrepreneurs

An Ibadan-based publisher, Mr. Idris Alimi, has asserted that the year 2025 has proven to be the most challenging year on record for entrepreneurs across Nigeria. He attributed the crippling difficulties largely to a combination of federal government policies, instability in the foreign exchange market, and rampant inflation.

Dependable NG reports that Alimi, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Max African Publishers, made this claim while speaking with journalists on Thursday during his firm’s end-of-year celebration in Ibadan. He alleged that many of the government policies introduced throughout the outgoing year were not favorable, especially to the publishing industry, making it incredibly difficult for many business owners to sustain operations.

“Let me say that the outgoing year is a very challenging year for many entrepreneurs because of inflation, government policies, cash flow. The cash is not flowing as expected and even the government policies that are not favorable to many of us. Most of the government policies are not favorable to us in the publishing industry,” Alimi stated.

He further elaborated on the immense pressure faced by entrepreneurs, noting the struggle to cope with rising salaries, overheads, and production costs, mentioning materials and diesel as significant concerns. He added that the difficulties forced him to conclude that his firm’s survival was down to divine intervention. Alimi used the opportunity to appeal to governments at all levels across the country to introduce measures that support and encourage entrepreneurs.

In his remarks at the event, the Chairman of the occasion, Supol Ayodele Ayiti, issued a public service warning, urging Nigerians to maintain security consciousness and be mindful of their environment, particularly when moving around in the evenings.